Problem Statement Scope of Project Brief Explanation of Methodology

1.3 Problem Statement

Nowadays, device with manually monitoring are inconvenient since it consumed more waiting time for human resource [3]. All the temperature parameters within the device have to be monitored manually if there is any error occurs. Besides that, it is very troublesome since it cannot be access anywhere and anytime if the temperature monitoring device is build-in within the monitoring system [3]. Besides that, the readings for most of the device with temperature monitoring system [5] are display through the use of LCD screen [4]. This is inefficient because the data shown on the LCD screen is very limited and it will be not convenient if there is any adjusting of the temperature. In addition, the storage of the microcontroller for the historical data is very limited as it can only store up to 3 days with 5 seconds for each interval [4]. It is not efficient if the data for about a week ago is needed for the user for analysis of the product.

1.4 Scope of Project

There are several points that have been outlined in order to accomplish the objectives of the project. The scope of the project included: 1. Development of the Temperature Monitoring System that can be used to measure the temperature of the chamber based on PIC16F877A microcontroller. 2. Interfacing PIC microcontroller and personal computer using RS232 cable. 3. Interfacing the PIC microcontroller with the mobile phone by using another mobile phone as the GSM modem for user to receive alert whenever the temperature is out of range. 4. Development of the Graphics User Interface by using Visual Basic in order to set the upper and lower temperature limit. 5. Development of C Language as the program code for PIC chip.

1.5 Brief Explanation of Methodology

This project is first started with the discussion with supervisor regarding the basic ideas of the project. After that, the scope and concept used also have been discussed. The background study and literature review of this project are done by referring to several sources such as I.E.E.E journals, conferences paper, reference book, data sheets and internet. After that, the components needed for this project such as microcontroller, temperature sensor and so on has also been searched in order to obtain more information on it. Then, suitable parts will be chosen to implement on this project. After that, the software required for this project is also studied and the most suitable programming language is used to program the codes for the system. In addition, the software used for simulation is also studied so that the simulation can be done successfully and can be proceed to the hardware part of the project. For the next stage, hardware is interfacing with the software and will progress to system testing. If there is any error occurs, the system required troubleshooting in order to achieve the desired result. Finally, the project is finalized and presented and can be proceed to thesis writing on the overall project.

1.6 Report Structure